Wisconsin Badgers extend offer to San Diego State transfer QB Danny O’Neil
The Wisconsin Badgers will host San Diego State transfer quarterback Danny O’Neil on an official visit to Madison.
The Wisconsin Badgers football program has offered former San Diego State quarterback Danny O’Neil, who will take an official visit to Madison on Saturday.
The Indianapolis native entered the NCAA Transfer Portal on Thursday afternoon, and Wisconsin’s coaching staff wasted no time throwing their hat into the ring for the promising young signal-caller.
O’Neil, a 6-foot, 195-pound quarterback, started 11 games as a true freshman at San Diego State, completing 63.3% of his passes for 2,181 yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Notably, he opened the season with 127 straight pass attempts without throwing an interception.
According to Pro Football Focus, O’Neil finished with a 72.4 offensive grade and a 75.0 mark as a passer. He was credited with 12 big-time throws and just nine turnover-worthy plays all season.
A former Elite 11 finalist, O’Neil was a three-year starter at Cathedral High School, where he threw for 7,786 yards and 98 touchdowns while adding 1,326 rushing yards and 27 scores on the ground.
Originally committed to Colorado, O’Neil followed his lead recruiter, Sean Lewis, to San Diego State. As a member of the 2024 recruiting class, he was ranked as the No. 45 overall quarterback by the 247Sports Composite and No. 680 overall.
For Wisconsin, the pursuit of O’Neil is a crucial move to stabilize a quarterback room that has experienced significant turnover this offseason.
Tyler Van Dyke, who started the first three games of the 2024 season before tearing his ACL, entered the transfer portal in December. Braedyn Locke and Cole LaCrue also announced their transfers, leaving the Badgers with just three scholarship quarterbacks: redshirt freshman Mabrey Mettauer plus early enrollees Carter Smith and Landyn Locke.
Adding a player like O’Neil, who has starting experience in the Mountain West and a proven track record as a passer, would be a much-needed shot in the arm for Luke Fickell and the Badgers as they enter their first season under offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes. It’s also worth noting that things between Wisconsin and O’Neil are expected to move quickly.
With Wisconsin’s renewed focus on prioritizing the run game and playing with physicality as its offensive identity, O’Neil’s accuracy and ability to extend plays could make him an ideal fit.
Landing a player of O’Neil’s caliber would represent a step toward solidifying the most important position on the field as the Badgers look to bounce back from a lackluster 5-7 season under coach Fickell.
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